Taste of South Iceland with Golden Circle - Small Group - 5 Day

On this type of tour, you’ll travel around Iceland by bus with the same driver-guide for the length of your trip. Guided group tours are a great way to make like-minded friends, as you’ll spend time with the same travelers for your whole vacation.

You’ll get to stay in accommodation around the country, and some tours include a few evening meals too. After a day’s exploring, you’ll go back to your private room and meet your guide and group the next morning to continue your trip.

All of our guided group tours start and finish in Reykjavík.

There are 2 group sizes available:

• Small group: Up to 19 people
• Standard group: Up to 32 people

Small groups offer a more intimate travel experience, whereas standard groups are more wallet-friendly.

You’ll likely be with people from a whole mix of backgrounds, from different countries and of different ages. Your guide will entertain you with fun facts and jokes as you journey around Iceland. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll be laughing along with your group!

There will most probably be a mix of solo travelers, couples, and small groups of friends and family.

The luggage restrictions on this guided group tour are as follows:

• 1 suitcase or large bag per person for clothes and overnight items
• 1 day bag for essential items, like a camera, extra clothes, and valuables

Each day your luggage will be loaded onto the bus. In the evening, you’ll take all your bags with you to your room.

Our guided group tours have fixed start dates and itineraries. While it’s not possible to customize the actual tour, you can tailor your trip with extra days and activities before or afterwards.

For example, you could add a couple more days in Reykjavík at the end of your trip. Fill these with day tours or exciting activities like ice caving and snowmobiling.

On a guided group tour, you’ll learn a lot about Icelandic history, nature, and culture from experienced tour guides. You’ll find their passion for the country infectious and gain a perspective on life in Iceland from these travel experts.

Guided group tours also mean you don’t need to worry about driving yourself on unfamiliar roads. They’re a fantastic way to explore Iceland if you want to meet like-minded travelers too.

That said, guided tours are by no means the only way to experience Iceland. If you’d prefer something more customizable, you could go for a multi-day tour by bus. Or if you want to set your own pace on a road trip, it’s hard to beat a self-drive tour.

Another option is a privately guided tour. This combines the experience of a locally guided tour with the intimacy of traveling in your own private group.

On an Iceland guided tour, you can expect to travel by bus in a small or large party. You can choose your preferred group size when you book.

Iceland small group tours are more intimate, whereas standard group tours are more wallet-friendly. The maximum number of people in a small group is 16, and 36 in a standard group.

Your driver-guide will lead the entire trip, which includes stays in the Icelandic countryside. Each day you’ll explore a new part of Iceland and enjoy commentary from your guide between stops.

As you’ll be with the same group of people throughout your trip, you’ll have the chance to socialize with fellow travelers and make friends (maybe even for life). There’s nothing like diving into Iceland’s epic nature for a bonding experience!

There’s plenty to enjoy on a guided tour of Iceland. The great thing about them is that you can access locations you never would have known about. And you can travel to seemingly out-of-reach regions, like the Icelandic highlands.

Here’s just some of what you could get up to on an Iceland group tour:

• Chase the Northern Lights in a remote countryside spot
• Tour the legendary Ring Road route
• See bubbling hot springs on the Golden Circle
• Explore ice cave country in Vatnajökull National Park
• Hop between stunning waterfalls on a south coast tour
• Follow in the footsteps of Vikings at Þingvellir National Park
• Watch an active geyser, Strokkur, erupt before you
• Admire freshly calved icebergs drift gently out to sea
• Roam the black sands of Reynisfjara beach
• Soak up culture and nightlife in downtown Reykjavík
• Dive into the country's food scene at Iceland's best restaurants.

Need more inspiration? Check out this Iceland Travel Guide.

All of the guided Iceland vacation packages featured here include local transport, accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers, and activities. Some also include dinners in the countryside, so check the specific package for details.

You can customize your guided trip with extra days in Reykjavík at the start or end of your vacation. Use these to pack in day tours or an evening Northern Lights tour. You could even pay a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.

In general, tipping is not as commonplace in Iceland as in some other countries. While tour guides would never expect to be tipped, they would receive them gratefully.

You can start planning your Iceland adventure right on this page. Browse the guided vacation packages above until you find the one for you.

Next, check departure dates on the tour page. Guided group tours have fixed dates and durations, although you can extend your trip with extra days in Reykjavík if you like. This would be your chance to add activities, like exploring an ice cave or bathing in hot springs.

After that, simply follow the checkout instructions to complete your booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email straight away, followed by your travel documents closer to your departure date.

You can check dates on the individual tour pages. Guided tours are available in a small or large group, with separate departure dates for each.

There are weekly or fortnightly departures throughout the popular summer and winter seasons. Make sure you book in advance as spaces can sell out quick.

Because guided group tours have fixed departure dates, it’s a good idea to book your vacation package before your flights. Once you’ve received the confirmation from Iceland Tours, you’re clear to book with your preferred airline.

That said, you might want to do a rough check for flights before you book your package to get a feel for what’s available.

Iceland is well connected to Europe and North America with daily direct flights to lots of major cities.

When visiting Iceland, it pays to pack smart and be prepared. The weather is changeable and conditions are likely to be different to what you’re used to at home.

Here’s an Iceland packing list that’s good for all seasons:

• Warm, waterproof coat
• Toasty inner layers
• Hat, scarf, and gloves
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Sunglasses
• Moisturizer and lip balm

No worries! Iceland Tours is already offsetting the carbon footprint of your tour package. We've teamed up with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon offset for all our tours.

Carbon offsetting for international flights is not included, but we suggest checking with your airline or through a local environmental fund for options.

Yes, small group tours are one of the most sustainable ways to experience Iceland. By traveling together in a single vehicle with up to 20 guests, small group tours significantly reduce per-person carbon emissions compared to individual car rentals or private tours. This shared travel approach means fewer vehicles on Iceland's roads, less fuel consumption per traveler, and a lighter environmental footprint overall. When you choose a small group tour, you're not only getting expert guidance and a social travel experience, you're also making a more responsible choice for Iceland's pristine landscapes.

Five days provides an excellent introduction to Iceland's highlights, particularly focusing on the South Coast and Golden Circle regions. This 5-day Iceland tour covers the country's most spectacular attractions including Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, iconic waterfalls, black sand beaches, and the complete Golden Circle route. While you won't circle the entire country in 5 days, you'll experience Iceland's most dramatic and accessible landscapes without feeling rushed. The pacing allows time to truly explore each location rather than just driving past.

This Iceland 5-day tour package includes 4 nights of quality accommodation, daily continental breakfast, 2 dinners featuring local cuisine in the countryside, airport transfers both ways, expert local guidance in English throughout, guided amphibian boat tour on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, admission to the Lava Center, visit to Hveragerði geothermal park, and a traditional Icelandic farm visit. You'll also receive 24/7 emergency helpline support and carbon offsetting of your tour. The small group size (maximum 16 people) ensures a more personalized experience.

This 5-day tour of Iceland covers the South Coast and Golden Circle, including Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with its floating icebergs, Diamond Beach, Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, spectacular waterfalls (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Gullfoss), Reynisfjara black sand beach, the geothermal areas of Hveragerði and Geysir, Þingvellir National Park, and Iceland's vibrant capital Reykjavík. You'll experience glaciers, volcanic landscapes, geothermal features, and coastal scenery, gaining a comprehensive introduction to Iceland's diverse natural wonders.

On this small group tour of Iceland's South Coast, you'll travel in a comfortable minibus with a maximum of 16 travelers, creating a more intimate experience than standard tours. You'll have the same expert driver-guide throughout your 5-day journey. Each day you'll explore different attractions along the South Coast and Golden Circle, staying in countryside accommodation with private facilities for two nights and in Reykjavík for two nights. The smaller minibus allows access to viewpoints where large coaches cannot go and creates a social atmosphere where you can easily connect with fellow travelers.

This summer tour runs from late April through early September when Iceland experiences the longest daylight hours, mild weather, and full accessibility to all attractions. Summer offers up to 21 hours of daylight in June, allowing more time at each location and creating beautiful evening light for photography. The South Coast's waterfalls flow at full power with glacial melt, vegetation is lush and green, and hiking trails in Skaftafell are easily accessible. Summer is ideal for first-time visitors wanting to see Iceland's landscapes in their most vibrant state.

Absolutely! This 5-day Iceland tour perfectly combines the Golden Circle and South Coast into one comprehensive package. You'll spend a full day exploring the Golden Circle's highlights (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss), and two days along the South Coast visiting Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Skaftafell, multiple waterfalls, and black sand beaches. The pacing ensures you can thoroughly experience each location rather than rushing through. This combination gives you Iceland's most spectacular and accessible attractions in one 5-day trip.

This small group Iceland tour is limited to 16 travelers maximum, compared to standard tours that can have up to 36 people. You'll travel in a comfortable minibus rather than a large coach. The smaller group size means more personalized attention from your guide, easier access to attractions (no waiting for large groups), quicker stops for photos and facilities, a more social atmosphere where you can get to know fellow travelers, and the ability to visit locations where large coaches cannot access.

Five days in Iceland during summer is absolutely worth it and provides an excellent introduction to the country. Summer offers the longest daylight hours (up to 21 hours in June), allowing you to pack more sightseeing into each day. You'll experience Iceland's landscapes at their most vibrant with lush green vegetation, wildflowers, and powerful glacial-fed waterfalls. This 5-day Iceland tour covers the essential South Coast and Golden Circle highlights, giving you a comprehensive taste of Iceland's natural wonders with time to truly appreciate each location.

Absolutely! This small group tour is perfect for solo travelers. You'll join other like-minded adventurers exploring Iceland together, making it easy to connect with fellow travelers throughout the 5 days. The intimate group size of up to 16 people creates a social atmosphere without feeling overwhelming. You'll have your own private room each night while sharing daytime adventures. Many solo travelers choose guided tours specifically for the social aspect, expert guidance, and the convenience of having all logistics handled.

A 5-day Iceland tour focuses on the South Coast and Golden Circle, covering Iceland's most accessible and spectacular attractions. A 7-day tour typically adds the complete Ring Road circuit, including North Iceland (Lake Mývatn, Akureyri, Dettifoss), the Eastfjords, and West Iceland. The 5-day tour is perfect for first-time visitors with limited time who want to see Iceland's essential highlights without feeling rushed. The 7-day tour provides a more comprehensive experience of Iceland's diverse regions but requires more time commitment.